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Architects: Fernanda Marques Arquitetos AssociadosLocation: São Paulo – State of São Paulo, BrazilArea: 830.0 sqmYear: 2012Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
From the architect. Almost seethrough
The lines of this house, built in a very steep plot in São Paulo – evoke the rationalistarchitecture of Mies van der Rohe. He is known, among others, for the German pavilionbuilt in Barcelona to host the 1929 World Exhibition, which is still open at the foot ofMontjuïc.
Here, as there, it is all about simple geometry. The same integration dynamic, based onextensive use of glass. The same desire for permanent mingling with the landscape andfeeling close to the water. In addition to a definite attachment to the materials that areconsidered essential in architecture’s vocabulary: concrete and steel.
Bearing in mind the distance of almost a century, it is not surprising that the prevailingtheme that joins the two buildings is transparency. The idea of opening up the house to itssurrounding space to better capture the light and create spectacular views for the
“Working at the limit between maximum transparency and the ideal level of privacy foreach space was my greatest challenge”, says São Paulobased architect FernandaMarques, who authored the design. “There was also a need to insert the house in the plot,conserve and respect the existing trees, and, obviously, the considerable steepness toconsider”, she adds.
Once the rooms were laid out, however, all the rest, according to Fernanda, was a matterof articulating the spaces well around the key elements. “At the entrance, for instance, is awater mirror that overflows by the entrance steps. The yellow wall that transverses the
whole building houses the guest loo, kitchen, pantry and service stairs”, she explains.
Another focal point, the spiral staircase, provides access to the mezzanine, where themedia room, the fitness room and the balcony, with its fireplace, are. The lower floor is thefamily area, and contains a playroom and three suites. Entrance to the master suite is via awide hallway, which opens up to the two bathrooms, his and hers – and the walkin closet.
The living area is linked to the dining room by a glazed circulation area, which integrates adeck, infiniteborder swimmingpool and lateral garden. The dining area opens up directly tothe outside. So, almost entirely enclosed by glazed panels, the house seems to beimmersed in the surrounding landscape.
But this does not mean the architect left out a sense of warmth that is proper to a familyhome. “I chose, for the interior, to create more introspective sceneries, based on indirectlighting, especially in the livingroom, with its doubleheight ceiling – and by using warmerfinishes, such as wood. After all, a house has to look like a home”.